FOOD lovers will have their tastebuds tickled at this weekend’s eighth Bank Holiday feast.

The Foodies Festival will arrive in South Park for the country’s largest three-day celebration of food and drink on Saturday.

Exhibition director Sue Hitchen said: “Foodies Festival offers the public an opportunity to discover new foods, learn new cooking skills and have a great day out with friends.”

“But it’s also really important to us that we offer local producers the chance to showcase their amazing products that they are all so passionate about.”

More than 24,000 people visited last year’s festival and organisers are expecting this year to be just as successful.

Chefs will cook their signature dishes in the Aga Rangemaster Chefs’ Theatre and include BBC Great British Menu champion Emily Watkins, Michelin star Glynn Purnell and television chef Manju Malhi.

It will be hosted by last year’s MasterChef winner Natalie Coleman and also include a 5pm chilli eating challenge each day.

Fearless foodies are invited to attempt to break the current record of 13 chilli varieties eaten in one sitting.

Meat-eating contests and barbecue challenges will also be on the menu at the barbecue arena and there will be a daily cocktail-making competition.

The Street Food Avenue will include foods from across the world like Vietnamese buns, tapas, Morrocon tagines and South American prime beef.

At the heart of the festival, long banqueting tables will bring together visitors and chefs with their treats and dishes.

Ms Hitchen, above, said: “Over the last nine years there has been a shift towards buying local produce and knowing where your food comes from and this is something we have moved with by extending our Producers Market.”

It will also feature a Chocolate, Baking and Preserves Village, children’s workshops, champagne, gin and Pimms tents, live DJs and an “Ibiza Riot” bar. It will open each day from 11am and close at 7pm on Saturday and Sunday and 6pm on Monday.

Tickets are £12 adults and £10 concessions with under 12s free with an adult.

For more information visit foodiesfestival.com

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